Ashton Johnson is the founder and executive director for Beyond Basic Life Skills as well as the owner of Beyond Handcrafted, an inclusive ceramics company. Ashton grew up in Summerville, but currently lives in Park Circle with her fiancé David and beautiful fur-baby Miska, their malamute puppy. She spends the majority of her time in Summerville, though, as she works here and her family continues to live here. Ashton is very grateful to come from a very loving, inclusive, and supportive family. She grew up playing sports, drawing any chance she could, and playing pranks on her little brother.

Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My dad joined the Marine Corps and retired a E8 First Sergeant. He now owns the construction company Johnson and Son’s Construction. He has always been Mr. Fix It and always has a joke on hand that he can’t wait to tell. My mom retired from the coast guard as an E7 Chief Petty Officer. She is a part time employee for Beyond Basic and part owner of Beyond Handcrafted. My mom is a strong, sassy Italian woman who loves supporting her family and overfeeding us! Growing up with two military parents, learning to work as a team was instilled at a very young age. My older sister, Melissa, currently works at Hustle Smoothie bar, is a potter at Beyond Handcrafted, and is a teammate at Beyond Basic Life Skills. Melissa is a special Olympics athlete who is passionate about power lifting and a slew of other sports and activities. My younger brother, Justin, is currently a sergeant in the Marine Corps. He lives in Beaufort, South Carolina with his beautiful wife, Zanna. My brother is always there to help and ready to be the DJ at any party. Zanna, my sister-in-law, is incredibly kind and currently works at Beyond Basic as a team captain. And finally, my fiancé David is a chemical engineer who currently works in a 3D printing lab for the VA. We are excited to get married this coming New Years Eve!

Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I played soccer for two years at Wingate University before I injured myself and transferred to finish up school at the University of South Carolina. I received a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in psychology. I have always known that I want to help people and serve others with my career. I love volunteering and being involved in anything and everything. Growing up I volunteered with multiple service projects. One of my biggest passions was volunteering for the Special Olympics, mainly because of my older sister Melissa who was an athlete with Special Olympics. As far back as I can remember, I was always involved in supporting the Special Olympics– being a buddy, volunteering, or coaching a sport. I didn’t know it back then, but this all led to my career path as Executive Director for the nonprofit I helped create, Beyond Basic Life Skills. I have recently started a ceramics company as well called Beyond Handcrafted. I feel very lucky to have found something that I am truly passionate about– a career that is truly making a difference not only to the people that I serve but also to my community. And the best part of it is that I get to work with my sister and all of my friends. I am very proud of the non-profit we have built over the last 6 years. I’m passionate about the job and the community we serve, and it fuels my need for creativity, innovation, and helping people.

Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Oscar’s is my number one! It’s always nice on any special occasion. Eclectic Chef is my second pick. Accent on Wine is another favorite!

Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
21 years. I moved to Summerville while I was in elementary school and have been here ever since.

Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
My sister Melissa.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I would love to go back to Innsbruck Austria. I had an amazing vacation there with my fiancé two years ago, and it would beat the summer heat in Summerville!

Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I love The Office!

Q: What advice would you give to people?
Life is always changing, and you have to be able to adapt to it. You also need to learn to deal with failure and move forward. Don’t quit trying because you’re afraid to fail.

Q: What is something on your bucket list?
To feed great white sharks.

Q: What is your go to band when you cant decide what to listen to?
J. Cole

Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Everything Chic. This place is owned by two of my best friends. They talked about opening this shop all their lives. Every time I go by there, I have to stop to get a candle and a homemade soap.

Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I would have lunch with Emily Calandrelli at Oscars. She’s a women’s advocate and MIT engineer who hosted a Netflix series while she was 8 months pregnant called Emily’s Wonder Lab.

Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The community support. The community is very active in the chamber of commerce, and they’re always willing to lend a helping hand.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I would like to have grown Beyond Basic to reach more communities and locations. I hope to also convince David to get a few more giant malamutes, so we can have a sled dog team.

Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I don’t really have much hidden about my life; I’m an open book. I have always wanted to sit down and write a book about the relationship between my sister and I and our journey together.

Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
The top of Mount Mitchell was extremely beautiful. I love hiking, and this is one of my favorites.

Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Thanksgiving is my favorite. I love having great food and my whole family together. This is the one time where we wake up as a family and do the Turkey Day Race in downtown Charleston and come back to delicious Italian food and fried turkey. It’s also the holiday that my brother has been able to come home for the most.

Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
My Alaskan Malamute, Miska.

Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Both of my parents.

Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
My grandma’s Italian cooking and everything chocolate.

Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Food, love, loud